"Thou art welcome," said the old man. "We are not forgetful to entertain strangers. What wouldst thou?"
"Supper and lodging," said the merchant.
"They shall be yours. We offer hospitality to all."
He was Herman, the collier. He did not recognize the merchant.
The old woman—for she was now gray—set before him an ample supper. The children had grown to be young men and women.
The cuckoo clock struck the hour of nine.
The collier altered the musical glasses.
"Will you join with us in singing?" asked he of the traveler.
The family sang as before the old German hymn:
"Now the woods are all sleeping,